Adopted by NZDA Board March 2003 CODE OF PRACTICE ANTIBIOTIC PROPHYLAXIS FOR DENTAL TREATMENT OF PATIENTS WITH PROSTHETIC JOINT REPLACEMENTS 1. INTRODUCTION Prosthetic replacement of large joints such as the hip, knee, elbow and shoulder is an increasingly common and highly successful orthopaedic surgical procedure. Haematogenous infection of a prosthetic joint replacement is a devas